Maine Coast Half Marathon

Please share your thoughts and comments with us about your experience at the first ever All Women's Half Marathon in York Maine.

793 Women & 1 Lucky Guy  Compete in the 1st Annual
Maine Coast Half Marathon

Excerps from John Stevens, special to the Coast Star

York, ME: Sunday, September 23, and a beautiful sunny Fall day in one of the most charming coastal villages in southern Maine served as the perfect introduction of the 1st Annual Maine Coast ½ Marathon. This “all women & one lucky guy*” race was the inspiration of Mike and Linda St. Laurent, founders and owners of Loco Sports, Inc., Newmarket, NH, a designer/manufacturer of Loco running shoes and a major sponsor of many New England running events as well as co-race directors for this event.

A pre-race pasta dinner was held Saturday evening at Fosters Restaurant in York and attended by approximately 75 race entrants along with members of York Middle and High School girl’s track team and coaches - - - and, “one lucky guy”.

Keynote speaker for the evening was Kathrine Switzer, best known as the woman who challenged the all-male tradition of the Boston Marathon in 1967 and became the first woman to officially enter and run the event creating an uproar and worldwide notoriety when a race official tried to forcibly remove her from the competition. The author of best selling “Marathon Woman”, as well as several other books and articles on woman’s running, Kathrine gave an inspiring talk keyed toward all women runners in general, but she really focused on the younger women and especially the students from York High School and Middle School Track Team.

“40 years ago they tried to throw me out of the Boston Marathon because women were considered too frail to run a marathon. At that time the longest event sanctioned for women was 800 meters (twice around the track). Today there are more women runners than men entering races; 52% to be exact as of 2006. If this could happen in the past 40 years just think what the next 40 years could bring” was the message Kathrine drove home to a rapt audience.

Kathrine Switzer has dedicated her career to creating opportunities and equal sport status for women instituting programs for over 1 million women in 27 countries. Her efforts have been instrumental in the successful inclusion of the women’s marathon as an official event in the Olympic Games.

Race Day:

There were 793 women finishers - - - and, oh yes, that 1 “lucky guy”- - - representing 24 states as well as Canada and 1 from Sidney, Australia, making the 1st Annual Maine Coast ½ Marathon a true international event. 280 finishers were classified as “newbies” meaning that this was the first ½ marathon they ever entered and as such they were given special recognition.

Leslie Hocking, 26, from Dover, NH was the overall winner with a time of 1:23:02 (6:20 per mile pace). Leslie led the pack all the way from start to finish with a 2:00 lead at the 2-½ mile point. It wasn’t until mile 10 that anyone came close to her and that is when Nicole Hagobien, 32, from Hadley, MA threatened. As it turned out Leslie crossed the finish line with 1 minute to spare with Nicole coming in at 1:24:01. “I thought maybe I went out a little too fast. I never heard any footsteps behind me until around mile 10 then I had to pick up the pace again. I’m tired”, said a very happy Leslie Hocking as Linda St. Laurent from Loco Sports, Inc. presented her with the winner’s medal.

The idea for an all women event is not new, but the idea of allowing “one lucky guy” to enter is. Generally what happens, according to Mike St. Laurent, is that when race registrations start coming in, even though the race is advertised as an all women’s race, several guys will intentionally or inadvertently attempt to sign up sometimes causing problems. Mike credits his wife Linda, with coming up with the perfect solution; hold a lottery for the men wherein they can submit a race application along with $10.towards the right to run the race. And, all proceeds from this lottery would go to the York School District to be awarded to a deserving graduating York Girl’s Track Team runner. As of race start it looked like an estimated $3,000. was raised.

180 men entered this pre-race competition and the winner was Eric Vermilya, 47, a full-time student completing his degree in finance at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT, and living in New York City. While a number of hopeful “lucky guys” bought several chances Eric bought only 1 on a whim, along with pressure from several of the women runners in his local running club, the 700 member New York Flyers, the largest running club in NYC, which Eric considers his second family. “I just about fell off my chair when Mike St. Laurent called me to tell me I won”, said Eric. Although Eric has run 9 marathons since 2003 including Boston, Chicago, New York, and both Zurich and Madrid internationally, he’s never raced in Maine before. “It’s so beautiful up here. I love it and I’ll come back again.” Eric was very emphatic that he didn’t want to be the focal point of this all women’s event. “I don’t want to take away from what should be their day. I just feel very honored to be a part of this, to be the lucky guest” Eric pointed out.

Comments

[Michelle Westcott]

The many times I saw Mike running around like crazy on race day w/the Loco crew, I wanted to just stop him and say THANK YOU...for taking the time to put together such a beautiful, fun, well organized race. It was a race that I truly looked forward to, that was challenging and I am more than proud that I finished. You guys do it better than the average race and I look forward to your next challenge...Thanks again.

[Ginny Mosher]

Hi Folks
Thank you for a wonderful race and making us all feel so welcome,no matter what caliber of runner we are(which is really what it is all bout)!
My daughter,two friends and myself had a great time and so proud of ourselves for finishing a difficult course!

[Carrie Owen (newbie)]

I was really pleased with everything. Thank you for putting together such an awsome event. This was my first, and I will be back next year! The all women and one lucky guy was a great idea. My husband tried to be the "one lucky guy", and he says I should keep running this event untill he gets to be the "one lucky guy"! Sounds good to me, I had a blast!

[Alison Black]

Another "slam dunk" from the Loco crew! It was even better than Great Bay. Couldn't have asked for a nicer host town, though would have loved more of the course to be next to the ocean. Everything was awesome, but the highlight for sure was meeting Kathrine Switzer and hearing her excellent talk at the pasta dinner. What an inspiration! Thanks to everyone for their hard work. The volunteers rocked. I loved the pizza after the race. The course was tougher than I thought but I still ran a PR. Thanks again!

[Dana]

This is the first race I've ever been to where I didn't have to wait in line for a bathroom at all! For next year, I might suggest a few more pot-a-potties out on the course though. The traffic on the road was light and well managed, registration was a breeze, and running with 800 women was inspirational. The course was deceivingly hilly, I'm a bit sore today, which I always appreciate. Congratulations on putting together such a well organized event. I'll be back next year for sure!

[Cheryl Scher East Brunswick, NJ]

I was very impressed with the design and quality of this race. It went off as a 1st class event, which is especially difficult when being put on for the first time. The course was BEAUTIFUL!!! Very challenging and scenic.The food after the race was good, while the pizza was nice the chowder was to die for. My only regret was that I couldn't get another cup full down, I did 2 and was STUFFED, my compliments to whomever made it.The staff was courtious and helpful, more then ample bathrooms, excellant parking....I could keep on and on with the compliments. GREAT JOB, see you next year.

[June Triangolo]

Bravo to all the volunteers and staff who made this race so successful!!The race course was awesome...I loved it all:the seacoast, rural roads, leaves changing colors,small harbors and even the rolling hills. It was worth the trip from Florida!! Great job.
P.S. Loved the medal and hat!

[Ellalou Zirblis]

Major kudos to Mike and the entire team of volunteers that made my first 1/2 marathon a truly enjoyable experience. I've attended numerous races with my husband and this was, by far, the most well-organized and smoothest running race I've seen in some time. It was awesome to be on the course with such a high caliber group of women and our "one lucky guy." Finishers medal is fabulous and something I will cherish. Adore the long-sleeve t-shirt, fits like a dream and extremely comfortable. Only suggestion for the futue is to include the date on the t-shirt.

[Dot Zullo]

What a great job!! Beautiful course ( a lttle hillier than I expected!)Extremely well organized! My only suggestion...since you are including a separate race for walkers maybe next year the walkers could receive the same recognition as the runners.

[Paula Miller]

This was my first half-marathon, and I loved every mile of it!! I came over as part of an eight-women contingent from Vermont Team in Training. We run to raise funds for leukemia and lymphoma research. Thanks to the great coaching we receive throughout the year (Yeah, Jan Leja!!) and the supportive camaraderie of my teammates, I was more than ready for this race. We had so much fun exploring York Beach Friday and Saturday, and the Sunday race crowned an unforgettable weekend!! Thanks to LOCO and the people of York for an unbeatable experience!!

[Angela Vachon, St. George Maine]

What a great race!! Beautiful!! This was the first 1/2 marathon for both myself and my Sister-in-law Aimee!! It was a great joy to race in York. I am very pleased w/ my time and the ease of which the race was put on and to sign up for. Great communication from registration through the race. Thanks loads to all the volunteers who directed traffic, passed out water, "ade" and GU!! Especially those who sat you down, gave you water and took off the chip!! WOW! What a treat!!! Very nice young people!! We hope to take on the challenge of doing this every year from now on...but...looking ahead to the Maui Marathon?!?!?!?! GO BIG!!!
Thanks again for a great experience!! Oh! And to hear your name, number and town as you cross-priceless!!

[Susan S]

I had a great time and plan to return next year. The course had more hills that I expected but it wasn't a big deal. Beautiful scenery and wonderful volunteers and spectators. My only suggestion would be a few porta-johns outside of the school to avoid wandering the school looking for a restroom. Thanks for a great race!

[D. Tuxen]

Overall a great race. Very well organized with ample parking and bathrooms. I think a couple of the mile signs were off (2, 13) and I wasn't expecting all the hills. More sports drink on the course would have been helpful. I really disliked the SUVs full of kids driving by and screaming all the time; it was very distracting. Probably would not do another all-women's race so I could avoid this. Other than that it was great!

[C. Woodcock]

Thanks for a great well-organized race. I thought the water stations every 2 miles were perfect and the volunteers along the route were awesome. This was my 1st half and had I known how challenging the course was I probably would've waited a year to run it. Also I think the walkers should go off after the runners and maybe an earlier start time. Thanks.

[Susan Foster]

I loved this race! It was my first half marathon and it was the perfect choice. Thanks for making an all women's race - there is something really wonderful about 800 or so women getting out there together to run!

[Amy]

What a fantastic race and experience! I thought the course and views were awesome. I thought the race was very organized and I am looking forward to running it next year. One thing I would change is to have more portable toilets outside. I got stuck inside a long bathroom line inside the school and didn't get a proper warm up. I didn't know if we could wander the school looking for more batharooms.
Thanks for making my first half marathom a great experience!!

[Heather P.]

great race, great spirit, great day.
though the course description said "mostly flat with some rolling hills". it was more like "mostly rolling hills with some flat" that being said - it was insanely beautiful with wonderful folks (runners,event staff and on-lookers alike).
AND the somewhat "rolling" terraine put me in a good place for the Cape Cod Marathon 1 month following (last 12 miles = all hills).
can't wait to run the 1/2 marathon again in 2008.